Latest News
Here you will find the latest news that is happening covering all forms of aviation from the latest appointments to news about the airlines, charter, helicopter and fixed wing industries.
2012 News
February 2012
16 February - Middle East’s inaugural General Aviation Show 2012 Lindbergh Awardees
  • With less than one month to go before the Air Expo makes its debut at Al Bateen Executive Airport, the show organisers announce that Rotana Jet, Wallan Aviation and Thierry Boutsen have all confirmed their participation.
 
9 February - Boeing 787 Dreamliner Debuts in Bangkok for Dream Tour
  • Boeing's (NYSE:BA) new mid-size passenger airplane, the 787 Dreamliner, touched down here after demonstrating its long-range capabilities by flying nonstop from Seattle's Boeing Field to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport -- a distance of 7679 miles (12,358 km). The visit is part of Boeing's Dream Tour.
 
2 February - Another Successful WEF for ExecuJet Zurich
  • The ExecuJet Aviation Group reported an exceptionally busy period during 25-29th January supporting visiting jets whose VIP passengers were headed for the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting held at Davos-Klosters in Switzerland. The company handled over 300 private aviation movements during the event with a high majority being ultra-long range aircraft.
 
January 2012
19 January - Lindbergh Foundation Announces 2012 Lindbergh Awardees
  • Today, The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation announced the recipients of two prominent awards, which will be presented at a celebration at the Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida on March 29, during the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In. Legendary inventor Forrest Bird has been selected to receive the 2012 Lindbergh Award and businessman-philanthropist James C. Ray has been named recipient of the Spirit Award.
 
13 January - A thorough background check is a crucial step in pilot employment process
  • For airlines thorough pilot background checks are becoming a concurrent practice in the process of selecting their staff. Such checks ensure that potential employees are highly qualified, experienced and conscientious.
 
12 January - EAA MOVES TO STRENGTHEN ORGANIZATION FOR CONTINUED GROWTH
  • EAA President/CEO Rod Hightower today announced changes that will allow the 170,000-member organization to better fulfill its mission to grow participation in aviation. EAA is strengthening and reshaping the organization to capture the opportunities within its long-term strategic plan. As a result, the organization will be adding important capabilities, and aligning its resources with strategic priorities.
 
12 January - QANTAS ANNOUNCES MIRANDA KERR AS NEW QANTAS AMBASSADOR
  • Qantas today announced Australian model, author and international superstar Miranda Kerr as a new Qantas Ambassador. Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said he was delighted to welcome Miranda to the Qantas team. “Miranda Kerr is one of the most photographed and recognisable people in the world,” he said. “Apart from her work commitments as an international model and businesswoman, Miranda will now represent Australia’s premium airline.”
 
4 January - Alison Price On Air launches first ever ‘Chef in the Sky’ service
  • The London-based in-flight catering business Alison Price On Air has announced the launch of a unique new service aptly named ‘Chef in the Sky’. The innovative offering provides a personal chef to accompany a private flight to prepare and cook meals for clients whilst on board the aircraft.
 
2011 News
November 2011
24 November - Alison Price on Air brings a new star to the skies
  • The London-based in-flight catering business Alison Price On Air has announced the launch of a series of new themed menus designed to accommodate the increasing variety of client nationalities and cuisine requests received for their elite catering service. The first themed menu has been created in conjunction with Tamarind, the renowned Mayfair situated restaurant famed for its innovative food that aims to change diners’ perception of Indian gastronomy. The restaurant has held a Michelin star since 2001 and continues to wow guests with its inventive dishes, beautiful presentation and excellent service.
 
18 November - EAA EAGLE FLIGHTS TO WELCOME ADULTS INTO WORLD OF AVIATION
  • The Experimental Aircraft Association’s upcoming aviation orientation program for adults, which is scheduled to be launched in spring 2012, now has its official name: EAA Eagle Flights.
 
18 November - INCREDIBLE STORY OF ‘GLACIER GIRL’
  • The amazing story of the P-38E Lightning Glacier Girl will be told through the eyes of Bob Cardin, one of its rescuers and restorers, at EAA’s annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet on Friday, Dec. 16. The banquet, held in the Founders’ Wing of the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, will commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C.
 
17 November - HONEYWELL BROADENS SERVICE IN AFRICA
  • Addressing the needs of the ever expanding global aviation industry, Honeywell (NYSE:HON) has entered into a new distributor agreement with commercial aircraft spare parts supplier, American General Supplies, Inc (AGS). Under the terms of the agreement, commercial airline customers throughout Africa will have readily available access to Honeywell’s range of avionics, mechanical components and wheels and brakes, as well as the support of its global Maintenance, Retrofit and Overhaul (MRO) services.
 
16 November - Comlux places first commitment for Airbus ACJ321
  • ‘Comlux The Aviation Group’ has signed a commitment for an Airbus ACJ321 - the first ever placed with Airbus for the type – expanding the Airbus corporate jet family.
 
10 November - SA born pilot dies in ejector seat tragedy
  • A South African born pilot with the Royal Air Forces Red Arrows display team died after his ejector seat was activated while he was taxiing on the runway, sending him more than 60-metres into the air. Reports said the cockpit canopy failed to open properly, forcing Johannesburg born Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham through the glass hatch. He landed without an emergency parachute.
 
3 November: lack of proper marketing skills
  • Locatory.com experts point out that in order to win over a considerable market share in the extremely competitive and economically demanding environment the aviation sector must constantly seek for new ways of developing and expanding the existent and potential client base and increasing the rate of customer retention. The major task, however, is to determine the best strategy that would enable the industry to achieve the best possible results.
 
2 November: Qantas responds to ACCC statement
  • SYDNEY, 2 November 2011: Qantas today acknowledged the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) statement outlining its expectations in relation to compensation of Qantas passengers impacted by the recent grounding of the Qantas fleet.
 
October 2011
17 October: Cessna Debuts New Citation M2 Light Business Jet at NBAA
  • The new Citation M2 light business jet introduced by Cessna Aircraft Company, will make its public debut this week at the 64th NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention. A cabin mock-up of the aircraft will be on display at Cessna’s exhibit in the Las Vegas Convention Center until Wednesday.
 
17 October: Passenger to sue after being removed from flight
  • A Muslim-American woman was removed from an aeroplane just before take off after a flight attendant allegedly heard her say 'It's a go' into her mobile phone.
 
17 October: Arik Air ceases flight to Nigerian capital
  • Nigerian carrier Arik Air will stop serving its London Heathrow-Abuja route from October 29. At this stage it is possible that Arik Air will have a connection to Abuja from its London-Lagos service.
 
17 October: Children trapped riding the ferris wheel
  • Two children riding the ferris wheel at a country fair at the Old Bar Beach Festival on the NSW Australian coast were trapped 10m above ground when a twin-seater Cheetah S200 crashed into the wheel just metres from their carriage.
 
10 October: Companies embrace new corporate & VIP Service from AJ Walter Aviation
  • Well-known for its award-winning Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft support, AJW teams with Loudoun Aviation to offer this first class service to corporate and high net worth clients.
 
10 October: Emirates Sponsors New Crossing Over London’s River Thames
  • A new cable car system being built across the River Thames in London will be sponsored by Emirates Airline in its biggest UK sponsorship deal since Arsenal.
 
5 October: Baltic Ground Services to perform fuel supply logistics in Polish airports
  • Having won an international long-term lease tender and signing the contract with International Vilnius Airport for the long-lasting lease of the fuel facility, the capability of which is up to 4000 cbm, the company Baltic Ground Services (BGS) has laid a solid infrastructural foundation for servicing Lithuanian, Polish and Latvian aviation markets.
 
5 October: Aviation market faces shortage of experienced pilots and turns to young cadets
  • A daily growth in passenger flows and constantly increasing aircraft fleet spell new challenges to the entire aviation industry. Extra strict flight security regulations mean ascending qualification requirements for pilots which, in its turn, results in shortage of experienced flight captains within the market. However, airlines are reluctant to invest their own resources in young cadets. It begs the question whether in the nearest future we will still be able to feel safely on board.
 
September 2011
27 September: The 21st Monaco Yacht Show welcomes DAHER-SOCATA
  • DAHER-SOCATA was once again a participant in the annual Monaco Yacht Show to underscore the speed, range and operating efficiency of its TBM 850 very fast turboprop aircraft. The Monaco Yacht Show is a well-known international event on the French Riviera. This year, more than 100 SuperYachts lined the docks of Monte Carlo – with over 40 making their worldwide debut.
 
23 September: McCauley Delivers First Production 1L100 Fixed-Pitch Composite Propeller
  • McCauley Propeller Systems said today at the AOPA Aviation Summit in Hartford that it has delivered its first production ASTM certified 1L100 fixed-pitch composite propeller.
 
9 September: Gama Aviation bolsters senior management team
  • Gama Aviation, the international business aviation services company, has strengthened its senior management with four promotions in its flight operations team. Each individual brings a broad range of experience and extensive international knowledge of the industry.
 
9 September: Increased charter demand at ExecuJet for Rugby World Cup 2011
  • ExecuJet Australasia has reported an increase in charter demand for the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand. The event, which takes place from September 9 to October 23 is attracting visitors from all over the world. Organisers are forecasting that on the basis of offshore ticket sales to date, New Zealand can expect 95,000 international visitors to arrive to watch matches.
 
1 September: Plane biofuel to be made from eucalyptus to help cut greenhouse emissions
  • With the aviation industry becoming increasingly focused on carbon emissions as trading schemes are set up around the world, and more and more people take to the skies, a possible answer to the problem lies in Australia's gum trees.
 
August 2011
30 August: The Middle East's first general aviation exhibition
  • Al Bateen Executive Airport and Adone Events Organisation announced the launch of the only general aviation exhibition in the Middle East. Located in the heart of the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Air Expo will be the first important aviation trade show of the year. Indeed, mild temperatures and excellent weather in early March will enable many pilots and aircraft owners to discover what's new in general aviation.
 
23 August: NOVEMBER’S AVIATION TRAINING CONFERENCE
  • NOVEMBER’S AVIATION TRAINING CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES KEYNOTE SPEAKER LINE-UP GATE 2011 is the Middle East’s dedicated training event for aviation industry Dubai, UAE. 16 August 2011 - The first annual Gulf Aviation Training Event (GATE 2011), part of November’s Dubai Airshow, has announced its keynote speakers - Captain Randolph Babbitt, Administrator of the US FAA, and William Voss, CEO of US-based Flight Safety Foundation.
 
19 August: ACSA’S INCREASED AIRPORT CHARGES RAISE CONCERNS OVER IMPACT ON LOCAL INDUSTRY
  • Johannesburg, 19 August 2011: The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) has again raised concerns over Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA) decision to increase airport tariffs. AASA believes that the increase will negatively impact air travel for local and international travellers.
 
16 August: KULULA JOINS SOMALIA AID EFFORT
  • kulula.com in partnership with Interactive Africa, will today fly 10,5 tons of aid to Somalia in a Boeing 737-200. The aid will be handed over to humanitarian organization ‘Gift of the Givers’ for distribution in the famine-ravaged area
 
16 August: Aviation group call for backing on Hoo Peninsula plans
  • Following the successful campaign against a government plan for a new airport at Cliffe on the Hoo Peninsula in 2002, a number of plans were floated for an airport including ideas for a £40bn for a floating airport on the Thames River which was abandoned as impractical.
 
7 August: Enflight flight planning system now printable
  • Enflight, a flight planning system, has now become available with printable enroute charts WACs, TACs, and street maps for iPad, iPhone, Android, Laptop, Desktop, and Macs. The system suggests fuel-saving altitudes and gives the pilot latest fuel prices, as well as providing VFR and IFR charts and approach plates while the enroute charts and street maps, help with orientation and make ground references easier to spot.
 
July 2011
26 July: 1time Airline to introduce the iPad2 as an Electronic Flight Bag
  • Johannesburg, 26 July 2011, 1time Airline will become the first airline in Africa and only the third airline in the world after Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, to introduce Apple’s innovative iPad2 into the pilots’ flight deck as an all-in-one Electronic Flight Bag (EFB). Through this paperless application, 1time’s pilots will have electronic fingertip access to a variety of vital resources normally included in a pilot’s carry-on flight bag. This includes exchange/mail capacity, rostering, the latest weather updates, passenger information and loads, system and performance manuals, as well as electronic weight and balance.
 
22 July: Department Of Transportation Grants Terrafugia Exemption Requests
  • Woburn, MA - June 30, 2011: Terrafugia, Inc., developer of the Transition® Roadable Aircraft officially received a grant of all of the special exemptions it had requested from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Terrafugia's Transition® is the first combined flying-driving vehicle to receive such special consideration from the Department of Transportation since the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards came into being in the 1970s.
 
22 July: New Book Provides Much Needed Lesson Planning Resources for Flight Instructors
  • Newcastle, WA—This new ASA book, debuting at AirVenture 2011 is the follow-up text and companion to Train Like you Fly, and the latest title written by Arlynn McMahon, 2009 National Flight Instructor of the Year and recipient of the 2009 NATA Excellence in Pilot Training Award.Lesson Plans to Train Like You Fly presents lesson plans for flight instructors in the form of “maneuver briefings.”
 
June 2011
5 June: SA companies start on A400M components
  • Two South African partner companies in the Airbus Military A400M transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft programme, Aerosud and Denel Saab Aerostructures (DSA), are starting to increase production of the aircraft components that they are responsible for.
 
5 June: Chinese airlines can apply for exemption from EU ETS
  • Chinese airlines have been told by the European Union that they can win an exemption from the EU's carbon market if they follow Europe's lead in cutting greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, according to a report in Reuters.
 
2 June: Detox for passenger after assault
  • Peter Paramjeet Singh, 35, has been ordered to enter a detoxification program as part of his bail conditions after appearing in a Melbourne court on charges of endangering the safety of an aircraft and of assaulting a crew member.
 
2 June: Qantas 747 forced to land for more fuel on Dallas route
  • The first Qantas flight from Sydney to Dallas arrives at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas earlier in May but the airline is having to reassess its operation of the route after a Boeing 747 ran low on fuel during the non-stop leg to Brisbane and was forced to land on a Pacific island to take on fuel.
 
2 June: Icelandic volcano disrupts disrupts flights
  • Nearly 500 flights have been cancelled in Europe due to the ash cloud caused by the eruptions at the Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland on May 21. This is the largest eruption by the volcano in 100 years. The ash clour has reached mainland Europe resulting in partial airspace closure in Norway and Denmark. German Air Traffic Services has also issued a restriction on flights for the airspace over northern Germany.
 
May 2011
18 May: Lufthansa standardises baggage rules
  • Lufthansa is simplifying its free baggage allowance policy and adopting the piece concept on all its flights. The new rules apply to all tickets purchased on or after 1 June 2011. This concept has been successfully implemented a while ago on many of the airline’s long-haul flights on North Atlantic routes, particularly.
 
16 May: Ocean Sky plots European expansion
  • Business aviation services provider Ocean Sky hopes to add three more European fixed-base operations this year to its current six-strong portfolio, double its charter business within two years and grow its management fleet by 50% by the end of the year in the company’s quest to be in the top three business aviation services providers on the continent.
 
16 May: Air Zimbabwe suspended by world aviation body
  • A statement issued on Sunday by IATA told travel agents to “immediately stop all ticketing and refund transactions” for Air Zimbabwe.
 
12 May: Cabin crew, passengers take down mid-air security threats
  • Three US airline security scares yesterday were brought to quick ends by crewmembers and passengers on high alert after the death of Osama bin Laden, according to reports from aviation specialists.
 
12 May: Nature’s power
  • As the Emirates A380 flight came into Heathrow Airport, London, a jagged bolt of lightning smashed into the roof, right above the pilots’ heads. The powerful jolt of electricity passed right through the body of the Airbus A380 before shooting out to continue its journey to the ground.
 
12 May: Qantas strike action halted
  • The Australian airline will no longer cancel its morning peak hour flights tomorrow. The decision was taken after the licensed aircraft engineers union halted its planned hour-long stoppage strike action, a Qantas spokesperson has announced.
 
12 May: Latest Cirrus Vision SF50 online video update goes live
  • It is here! The latest Cirrus Vision SF50 online video update goes live! The webcast will be on the Cirrus Aircraft YouTube Channel.
 
6 May: Up for piloting a spaceship?
  • Virgin Galactic, the spaceline founded by Sir Richard Branson, has put out a call for pilots to operate its SpaceShipTwo spacecraft and WhiteKnightTwo mother ship. Those selected would fly during development testing currently under way and commercial operations at some point in the future.
 
6 May: Loose rivets a possible cause of flight emergency
  • The Southwest Airlines plane sits in a remote area of the Yuma International Airport, Arizona The Southwest Airlines plane sits in a remote area of the Yuma International Airport, Arizona, after the in-air incident on April 1. Source: AP LOOSE rivets have been named as a possible cause of a 1.5 metre hole torn in a Boeing-737 with 117 passengers on board earlier this month.
 
6 May: European aviation authorities study
  • A new study has found that European aviation authorities were right to ground aircraft after the volcanic eruption in Iceland, just over a year ago. Safety fears led to the action as ash from Eyjafjallajokull blew into aircraft flight paths over Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe.
 
April 2011
23 April: Boy (9) aims for Balloon solo flight
  • Bobby Bradley, a third grader from Albuquerque, New Mexico, plans to set a new world record this weekend, becoming the youngest person to fly solo in a hot air balloon. He has been flying since the age of four and although he suffers from a fear of heights, has spent much of his life in the basket of balloons, and has racked up over 25 hours at the controls of balloons owned by his father, a professional balloon pilot.
 
23 April: EU black lists more African airlines
  • The black listing of Air Madagascar’s two B767-300ER flights to Europe will effectively cut off Madagascar from their key trading and potential tourism markets in Europe, is aiding critics of the current regime, which has been shunned even by the African Union, and has been under varying degrees of trade embargoes from many other countries.
 
23 April: EAA AND DAHER-SOCATA OPEN HUGE POSSIBILITIES FOR 2011 COLLEGE INTERNSHIP RECIPIENTS
  • Students to work overseas at DAHER-SOCATA’s facility in France. Jessica Miller of Hutchinson, Minn., and Shelby “Blaine” McCaleb of Savannah, Ga., will receive the work internships of a lifetime, having been named recipients of this year’s EAA/DAHER-SOCATA International Scholarships.
 
17 April: Air France jet clips commuter jet
  • On Monday night, an Airbus A380 superjumbo - operated by Air France - scraped against a commuter jet while taxiing at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport before its planned departure to Paris.
 
17 April: Embraer confirms 35 E190 orders
  • Embraer has confirmed that it has received orders for 35 E190s from Chinese airlines.
 
14 April: Biofuel test
  • Several airlines have now successfully tested biofuel made from the little known, non-edible plant Jatropha. Japan Airlines, Air New Zealand, Continental, Brazil’s TAM Airlines and most recently the Mexican carrier Interjet, in cooperation with European manufacturer Airbus, have flown without problems on fuel from this weed-like plant, which grows on land otherwise unusable for farming.
 
6 April: Global Oil demand growth
  • While global oil demand growth, physical disruption in Libyan crude production, and unrest in North Africa and the Middle East have caused crude oil and petroleum product prices to rise in recent months, few product markets have shown as much strength as jet fuel.
 
6 April: Eurocopter to acquire Vector Aerospace Corporation
  • Eurocopter Holding, a subsidiary of EADS and Vector Aerospace Corporation a Canadian company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, have entered into a Support Agreement pursuant to which Eurocopter Holding will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Vector Aerospace.
 
6 April: Operational Rooivalk finally delivered to SAAF
  • The South African Air Force (SAAF) has accepted its upgraded Rooivalk combat support helicopter for operational duties after a drawn-out upgrade programme.
 
March 2011
9 March: EGNOS safe enough for aviation
  • The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (Egnos) has been accepted by the European Commission as precise enough that it may now be used as a navigational tool by aircraft and helicopter pilots.
 
9 March: When cars fly
  • A recent report in Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post has indicated that the Israeli defence Force is interested in procuring the AirMule, a compact, initially civilian aircraft that can fly close to the ground and above complicated terrain and developed by a Yavne based company, Urban Aeronautics.
 
9 March: South African Airways
  • Quovadis is proud to announce it has been selected by South African Airways to design Required Navigation Performance (RNP) arrival and departure procedures at Cape Town International Airport. South African Airways main objective is to fly shorter routes to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
 
2 March: Qantas A380 springs oil leak
  • Yet another Qantas A380 ended its flight from Singapore to London on three engines after an oil leak forced the pilots the reduce the fourth engine to idle.
February 2011
22 February: IATA
  • The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on the British government to improve its global competitiveness in air transport by taking a global approach to aviation and climate change, reducing taxes, changing the economic regulatory structure for airports, and developing a proper strategy to safeguard the economic benefits of aviation.
 
22 February: Restricted air space in Limpopo
  • Air space in the northern Limpopo will be temporarily restricted in the coming week, as part of the SA National Defence Force's border safeguarding operation.